Xbox 360 successor, PS4 to be shown at E3 2012?

It's a certainty that Microsoft and Sony have successors to their current consoles planned. However, the timetable for each company to reveal its new console has long been in question. Today, a new report at UK-based industry site MCV indicates Microsoft and Sony will unveil new consoles at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which runs June 5-7.

This report isn't the first mention of an Xbox 360 successor being unveiled at E3 2012. Over the past year, two separate reports indicated that Microsoft was readying the next Xbox for a reveal at the Los Angeles trade show. The latest rumor puts the Xbox 360 follow-up as hitting holiday 2012.

As for the PlayStation 4 being unveiled at E3 2012, today's rumor is the first mention of such a reveal window. However, the system itself is no surprise, as since the PS3 first launched, Sony has stated it had plans for a PS4. And a November rumor suggested that software development for that system was ramping up, with one Sony-owned studio shifting entirely to work on the new, not-yet-announced system.

In addition to next-generation news concerning Microsoft and Sony, MCV's sources noted that launch details for Nintendo's still-mysterious Wii U will be provided at E3 2012. Nintendo has previously said it will have final Wii U hardware ready for E3 2012.

A Sony representative told GameSpot, "We don't comment on rumors or speculation." And as of press time, Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.